Boost for dementia charity as calls ramp up to helpline

Charity Dementia UK has thanked Central England Co-op for a special donation that has helped it deal with a rise in calls to its helpline.

The retailer has been in partnership with the charity for the last two and a half years and in that time, thanks to the generosity of colleagues, members and customers, it has donated more than £1.3 million to the cause.

Dementia UK supports families affected by dementia through local services and its Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline, which is open to anyone with queries or concerns about dementia and staffed by specialist dementia nurses – called Admiral Nurses.

At the onset of the current crisis, Central England Co-op was keen to support its partner as it faced an expected uplift in demand to its helpline as people with dementia, their loved ones and carers deal with the increased strain, confusion and anxiety caused by these testing times.

As a result the Society made an immediate £25,000 donation to enable them to fully staff their helpline seven days a week.

Dr Hilda Hayo (pictured), Chief Admiral Nurse and Chief Executive at Dementia UK, said: “I would like to pass on my sincere gratitude to everyone at Central England Co-op for their support at this incredibly difficult time for us all, and in particular for families facing dementia. It means such a lot to us.

“The donation of £25,000 will enable an additional Admiral Nurse to take calls on our national helpline over the next 12 weeks when we expect an increase in calls of at least 30% due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It will enable us to directly support many more families who are struggling and alone, with no one else to turn to, in what has become a very isolating and challenging time. We have received a significant number of calls already relating to the current pandemic.

“In early March the number of calls relating to the current crisis was around 30%, this week we are predicting the number of calls to have reached around 70%. Central England Co-op’s support will enable us to be there for those callers.”

As well as the immediate donation to help Dementia UK, Central England Co-op will continue to work with its charity partner where it can in the coming weeks to support its fantastic work in the communities it serves.